India Patenting Trends in 2023

In 2023, India experienced significant growth in patent filings, continuing a positive trend observed in recent years. This growth underscores the strengthening of India’s intellectual property (IP) ecosystem and an increasing awareness of IP importance among domestic innovators.

Key Trends in 2023:

Rise in Domestic Filings

For the first time, more than half of the patent applications in India were filed by residents. This shift highlights a growing focus on innovation within the country, particularly driven by educational institutions, which saw a substantial increase in their patent filings from the previous year.

Geographical Leaders

Tamil Nadu emerged as the leading state for patent filings, contributing 9.3% of the total, surpassing traditionally dominant states like Maharashtra. This rise can be attributed to robust government policies, a vibrant research and development ecosystem, and a high concentration of PhD scholars.

Focus on Emerging Technologies

Patents related to emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and big data continue to dominate. Since 2010, these fields have accounted for around 60% of all technology patents in India, with the percentage increasing to 73% in 2022. The majority of these patents involve innovations in AI and IoT.

Growth in Foreign Applications

There was an 8.06% increase in patent applications filed by foreign entities compared to the previous year, with many applications coming through the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) National Phase route.

Conclusion

These trends illustrate the dynamic nature of India’s patent landscape, driven by both domestic and international contributors. The increasing number of patent filings, particularly in emerging technologies, reflects India’s growing role in global innovation. Supportive policies and a robust innovation framework will be crucial in maintaining and enhancing this growth, ensuring that India continues to be a key player in the global intellectual property arena.